White Blood Cell (WBC) |
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| The white blood cell (WBC) count measures your body’s
ability to fight infection. A normal white blood cell count is about 5,000
- 10,000 / cumm. A low white blood cell count may put you at higher risk
of infection. You will want to watch for signs of infection so that you
can go to your doctor for treatment right away. On the other hand, a high
white blood cell count may be a sign of an infection. |
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| If your white blood cell count drops too much, your doctor
may put off your next treatment cycle, or give you a lower dose of chemo,
or give you a growth factor shot that makes your bone marrow put out more
white blood cells. |
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| Patients with low white blood cell count have a decreased
ability to fight infections. Neutrophil, a type of WBC is especially important
in fighting infections. A shortage of neutrophils is called neutropenia. |
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| Infections can begin in almost any part of your body and
most often start in your mouth, skin, lungs, urinary tract, and rectum. |
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| Symptoms of Infection - |
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Temperature more than 100.5°F |
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Any new area of redness, swelling, pus or yellowish
discharge from an injury or other location |
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New cough or shortness of breath |
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New abdominal pain |
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Shivering chills, which may be followed by sweating |
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Burning or pain when urinating |
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Sore throat |
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Sores or white patches in the mouth |
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| What can the patient do. |
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Avoid crowds. |
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Stay away from people who have infections you can
catch, such as colds, flu, or chickenpox, etc, or be cautious around
school going children who unwittingly may bring home the bacterial
infection. |
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Wash cuts and scrapes with soap and water every day,
apply antibiotic ointment, and keep covered until healed. |
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Keep your body clean by bathing daily and washing
hands after using the bathroom. |
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Wash your hands often during the day, especially before
you eat and after you use the bathroom. |
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Talk with your doctor or nurse about eating raw fruits
and vegetables. Some suggest eating only cooked fruits and vegetables
until the white blood cell counts come up again. If you eat raw foods,
wash them carefully and peel them to avoid germs. |
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Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth twice
a day and flossing once a day (unless you are told not to floss). |
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Use a stool softener to avoid constipation and straining
to have a bowel movement. Do not use enemas or suppositories of any
kind (see section on constipation). |
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If constipated, see section on constipation. Check
with your doctor before using laxatives. |
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Drink 2 to 3 quarts (2-3 ltrs) of liquid each day,
if your doctor approves. |
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| Alert the doctor immediately if the patient has the
following symptoms: |
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Has a temperature of more than 100.5°F |
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Has shaking chills |
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Feels or seems "different" to others |
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Cannot take fluids |
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Diarrhea |
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Severe cough or sore throat |
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Redness, swelling, or tenderness, especially around
a wound, sore, pimple, IV site, or vascular access device. |
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